Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on February 1, 2013 at 5:55pm

Wow - that is good news. Thanks for the article link.

Permalink Reply by Humble Pie on February 2, 2013 at 8:19am

Well, that would be fascinating.  I wonder what will come of it.

Permalink Reply by Chris Breman on February 2, 2013 at 10:55am

Fascinating - but I also think of how many people Earth will suffer...

Permalink Reply by Joseph P on February 2, 2013 at 11:06am

Well, time to freaking get on with the colonization of space, then, isn't it?

Permalink Reply by Jim DePaulo on February 13, 2013 at 12:10pm

Recent studies have revealed that the mouse model isn't valid for some medical research.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-11/model-mice-may-mislead-tra...

and http://www.voanews.com/content/study-mice-not-best-models-for-all-h...

 Not that the study you refer to is effected by the findings.  I hope the research pans out - I'm 72 so they had best put some speed on.

Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on February 13, 2013 at 1:50pm

Yes, I'm 71 and would appreciate some alacrity also.

Permalink Reply by Future on February 13, 2013 at 1:16pm

For every positive impact, there are numerous negative impacts to society that would result from the discovery of a substance that reverses aging.  Retirement age would have to be significantly adjusted upwards, since most elderly couldn't afford to live much longer without an income.  Jobs are hard enough to find as it is - so imagine if you were unemployed and had to compete with an additional 10%, or 20% of experienced applicants. Health insurance premiums should go down, but they would stay on the ever-increasing trend that the industry forces on us.  Imagine the impacts from population growth, not from new births but from people who won't die.  It a good subject for a novel, if it hasn't already been done.

Permalink Reply by Grinning Cat on February 13, 2013 at 2:10pm

I remember seeing some science fiction along those lines, where couples were allowed to have a child only when someone volunteered to die.

Permalink Reply by Grinning Cat on February 13, 2013 at 1:49pm

I hope some practical good comes out of this in time for all of us here to benefit!

It's interesting how many religious people I talk to see our mortality as "god-ordained", as opposed to my own attitude of "given current knowledge and technology... (also, if we extend our lifespan, and hopefully health span, we'll really have to deal with the population problem...)".

(I remember my mother, a religious humanist who believed God is a human creation, telling me that if offered an immortality pill, she wouldn't take it; "we need to leave room for future generations.")

Then again, we only have a few years to try to ensure that the Earth remains habitable for future generations! (Lots more at the group Climate Concerns.)

Permalink Reply by Jim DePaulo on February 14, 2013 at 2:04pm

I wouldn't choose immortality either - putting up with myself would be increasingly difficult after about 300 years.  However, life extension to around 200 years would be great - providing one had good health ( living for 90 of those years as a shuffling' drooling geezer, with pee stains on my underwear would be a deal killer)